SCHOOL OF POETRY

SUBMITTED BY:GANGA SREENIVAS

1ST BA ENGLISH HONOURS

 School of poetry, as the name suggests,refers to
the classification of poetry based on several grounds of similarity.It is
often either classified by poets themselves or by critics.Inorder to be a
“School Of Poetry”,a group of poems should share a common style or
common ethos.In British literature,various schools of poetry have emerged
over the centuries,reflecting shifts in cultural,social,and artistic
values.Some of these are discussed below based upon the century in which
they came into existence.
 SIXTEENTH CENTURY

1) ELIZABETHAN & SHAKESPEAREAN ERA

▪ This era,named after Queen Elizabeth I,witnessed a flourishing of
literature,including poetry.
▪ The poems were rich in lyrical expression,elaborate language,and exploration
of themes such as love,beauty, and nature.
▪ Some of the key figures during this era were William Shakespeare,Cristopher
Marlowe,Sir Philip Sidney and so on.
▪ They played a crucial role in shaping the literary landscape of their
time,contributing to the development of English poetry.
2) THE CASTALIAN BAND

▪ The Castalian Band is a modern name given to a grouping of Scottish Jacobean

poets, or makars, which is said to have flourished between the 1580s and early
1590s in the court of James VI and consciously modelled on the French example
of the Pléiade.
▪ Its name is derived from the classical term Castalian Spring, a symbol for
poetic inspiration. The name has often been claimed as that which the King
used to refer to the group.
▪ Prominent poets in the group are:Alexander Montogomerie,Alexander
Hume,William Fowler and Robert Aytoun.
 SEVENTEENTH CENTURY

1) METAPHYSICAL POETRY

▪ The term metaphysical poets was coined by the critic Samuel Johnson to
describe a loose group of 17th-century English poets whose work was
characterized by the inventive use of conceits, and by a greater emphasis on
the spoken rather than lyrical quality of their verse.
▪ Characterized by intellectual exploration,metaphorical poets like John Donne
and Andrew Marvell often employed complex metaphors,unusual imagery,and
wit in their verses.
▪ These poets employed elaborate conceits,and often combined seemingly
unrelated ideas.They engaged in intricate wordplay thus contributing
significantly to the literary landscape of the 17th century.
2) CAVALIER POETRY

▪ Cavalier poetry is often characterized by its polished and elegant style and it
celebrated the courtly life,love,beauty,and loyalty to the monarchy.
▪ Cavalier Poets is a broad description of a school of English poets of the 17th
century, who came from the classes that supported King Charles I during the
English Civil War. Charles, a connoisseur of the fine arts, supported poets who
created the art he craved. These poets in turn grouped themselves with the
King and his service, thus becoming Cavalier Poets.
▪ Cavalier poetry is closely linked to the Royalist cause in that the main intent of
their poetry was to glorify the crown. In this way, Cavalier poetry is often
grouped in a political category of poetry. In many ways, this poetry embodies
an attitude that mirrors “Carpe diem”(sieze the day).
 EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

1) NEOCLASSICAL POETRY
▪ Neoclassicism was born in Rome in the mid-18th century, but its popularity
spread all over Europe, as a generation of European art students finished their
Grand Tour and returned from Italy to their home countries with newly
rediscovered Greco-Roman ideals.
▪ Neoclassical poetry is characterized by emphasized order,reason,clarity,and
formal structure and is influenced by the classical Greek and Roman literature.
▪ Neoclassical poets sought to imitate the classical ideals of balance and
restraint and they aimed for areturn to classical literary forms and
values,contrasting with the more extravagant and emotional styles of the
preceding eras.
2) SATIRICAL POETRY

▪ Another significant school of poetry during the 18th century is satirical poetry
which was characterized by employed satire,wit,and humor to criticize and
mock social,political,and moral issues of the time.
▪ Satirical poets of the 18th century,influenced by neoclassical principles,used
their works to satirize and lampoon various aspects of society a stheir themes
included social criticism,political commentary and satire of human follies and
vices.
▪ This poetry played a crucial role in critiquing and satirizing the societal norms
and values of the time,offering a commentary on the political and cultural
landscapes by using formal poetic structures and classical influences.
 NINETEENTH CENTURY
1) ROMANTIC POETRY
▪ Romantic poetry contrast with neoclassical poetry, which is poetry of intellect
and reason, while romantic poetry is the product of emotions, sentiments and
the heart. Romantic poetry is a reaction against the set standards, conventions,
and the traditional rules of poetry.
▪ Romantic poets mainly shared a common focus on individual
experience,intense emotions,and reverence for nature,collectively shaping
romantic movement in literature.
▪ Medievalism,Hellenism,and Supernaturalism are some of the main
characteristics of romantic poetry. Romantic poets include William
Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe
Shelley, John Keats and so on.
2) VICTORIAN POETRY

▪ The Victorian era,spanning from the early 19th century to the beginning of the
20th century,was marked by Queen Victoria’s reign.Victorian poets like Alfred
Lord Tennyson,Robert Browning,shifted away from themes of romanticism
and often explored more complex narratives,social issues,and psychological
introspection.
▪ They were mainly characterized by their realism,reflection of scientific
progress,emotional restraint,narrative complexity,and also concerns with time
and change.
▪ While Victorian poetry retained some romantic elements,it also embraced a
more nuanced exploration of society,science,and individual
psychology,reflecting the changing cultural landscape of the time.
 TWENTIETH CENTURY

1) CONFESSIONAL POETRY
▪ Confessional poets often wrote intensely personal and autobiographical
poetry,addressing taboo subjects like mental illness,trauma,and sexuality.
▪ Anne Sexton,Sylvia plath,and Robert Browning re prominent figures associated
with this type of poetry.
▪ Crtics have debated whether the term “Confessional” accurately captures the
complexity of these poets’ work,but it has nevertheless become a widely
recognized label for this influential movement in poetry.
2) MODERNIST POETRY

▪ Emerged in the early 20th Century ,this school of poetry is characterized by its
break from traditional forms and its exploration of new modes of
expression.Some of the renowned poets of that period include T.S Elliot,Ezra
Pound,Wallace Steve,Marianne Moore etc.
▪ The key features of Modernist poetry include usage of fragmentation,Stream
of consciousness,symbolism and imagery,explration of urban life.
▪ Overall,Modernist poetry represents a radical departure from the poetic
conventions of the past,reflecting the cultural,social and intellectual changes
of the 20th Century.
 TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

1) NEW FORMALISM
▪ In response to free verse dominance of the 20th century,New formalism
emerged,emphasizing traditional poetic forms such as rhyme,meter and
structured stanzas.
▪ Some of the poets of this group include Dana Gioia,Timothy Steele,and Rachel
Hadas.Poets ssociated with this poetry seek to revitalize formal verse and bring
attention back to craft and tradition.
▪ While new formalism is not as widespread or influential as some earlier poetic
movements,it has nonetheless garnered attention and sparked debate within
contemporary poetry circles.
2) FLARF POETRY

▪ Flarf is a contemporary poetic movement characterized by by its use of found

language,internet search engine results and collage techniques to create
poems that often challenge convential notions of poetry and language.
▪ The Flarf movement emerged in the early 2000’s and has sice gained traction
among poets interested in exploring the intersections of technology,popular
culture, and language in the digital age.
▪ Some notable poets associated with this kind include Jordan Davis,K.Silem
Mohammad,and Sharon Mesmer.Their work exemplifies the innovative and
disruptive spirit of Flarf poetry in the 21st century.